With The Everest and Caulfield Cup set to dominate headlines, Brisbane quietly serves up a quality undercard at Eagle Farm this Saturday.
There’s no shortage of depth, a few progressive types worth following, and some genuine value if you’re willing to dig.
It’s the kind of meeting that could shape the summer form — and I’ve gone through all nine races to find the best angles and betting plays.
Connecticut is holding consistent form and looks ready to convert recent efforts into a metropolitan victory.
The Corey & Kylie Geran-trained gelding lost valuable ground when hampered at the start last outing yet still closed off strongly to finish 2.67 lengths second to So You Are, who later ran second in the Queensland Cup.
Two runs back, the Written Tycoon six-year-old impressed with a 2.5-length win over 2110 m at Lismore.
He is fully fit and should be able to take a prominent position under Jake Bayliss.
Dushenka appears suited by the step to 1810 m following two encouraging runs this campaign.
The Stu Kendrick filly produced a strong closing effort when resuming over 1400 m at the Gold Coast, missing by only a head.
Last start she stepped to a mile at Doomben and was inconvenienced in the straight, finishing 2.13 lengths fourth but with more to offer.
Ben Thompson replaces the apprentice, a move that should aid her chances.
Mazis returned in excellent order with victory over 1400 m at Eagle Farm.
The Annabel & Rob Archibald-prepared gelding unleashed a sharp turn of foot from worse than midfield to score by just under a length.
He will strip fitter and looks well suited rising in distance, having produced a strong 1.8-length win when stepping from 1350 m to 1800 m second-up last preparation at the Sunshine Coast.
Ryan Maloney stays aboard and should be able to secure a handy position from a favourable draw, with limited early speed in the race.
Party for Two maintains excellent form and aims for a third consecutive victory.
The Tony Gollan mare proved too quick over 1110 m at Doomben, leading throughout for a two-length win.
That was a month ago, and she has since produced a sharp trial performance to maintain fitness.
She races well at this course and trip, having won here two starts back.
Emily Lang can utilise her mount’s early pace to offset the wide draw and take up a forward role.
Pre Eminence looked superior to his rivals when resuming with a clear win over 1000 m at Toowoomba.
The Barry Lockwood & Emma-Jane Vincent-trained gelding enjoyed an economical run before accelerating strongly to score by 2.5 lengths.
He will improve with that run under his belt and has been narrowly beaten second-up in both previous campaigns.
Apprentice Corey Sutherland’s 3 kg claim and barrier 4 provide favourable conditions.
Moulin Miss resumes after finishing toward the rear in the Sunlight Consolation in January.
The Tony Gollan mare performs well fresh and appears ready for a solid return following three trials, the latest two showing her leading comfortably and winning with authority.
Although her recent race results were below expectation, this represents a much easier assignment.
With genuine pace engaged, Daniel Moor can adopt a stalking position just behind the leaders.
Little Jeanie continues to race consistently since joining Jack Bruce’s stable.
The Savabeel mare was unlucky not to win last start over 1350 m at Doomben, held up in the straight before finishing a neck second.
Rising from Class 2 to Class 3 should not concern her, having gone close in this grade three starts back at Doomben.
Ben Thompson retains the ride and should be able to provide a clear run from an inside barrier.
Epic Proportions settled back after a clean break over this trip at Doomben and found the line strongly for fourth, 1.71 lengths from the winner.
The Ciaron Maher gelding brings strong southern credentials, including a Kensington win five starts ago and a Caulfield success three runs back.
He is unbeaten from one start over this course and distance, almost exactly a year ago, with Ryan Maloney again aboard.
The wide draw presents some challenge, but he should find cover midfield given the presence of several speed influences.
Exceed Speed was courageous last time out, finishing just under a length third over 1625 m at Toowoomba after racing three-wide on the speed.
The Tony Gollan gelding has maintained strong form throughout this campaign.
Two and three starts ago he recorded consecutive wins — first over 1400 m at Eagle Farm, then over this trip at Doomben.
From a suitable draw, Ben Thompson should secure a favourable run in transit.